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From One Neighbor to Another: Fighting Cancer in Your Community
Source: American Cancer Society, April 2003

Isabel Ruiz and Calvin Martin understand that cancer knows no boundaries. It can affect anyone and kill more than 550,000 people each year. And because of inadequate access to health care, lack of awareness, and language barriers, some groups feel its effects worse than others.

For example, as Calvin will tell you, African Americans are more likely to develop and die from cancer than any other racial or ethnic group. And Isabel realizes Hispanic Americans are less likely to get lifesaving early detection tests - bringing diagnosis in the later stages of the disease when it is less treatable.

But Isabel and Calvin aren't just accepting these odds. They're working in their communities to reach out and raise awareness among their friends and neighbors. They are using their strongest weapons - their own voices - to save the lives of those around them.

Telling Her Friends
Isabel Ruiz survived breast cancer twice thanks to an annual mammogram that caught it early. Isabel knew about breast health, but she discovered that many women in her Hispanic/Latino community didn’t. And it was costing them their lives. She started reaching out to these women with her story and information about available resources and reminding them about early detection through the American Cancer Society’s Tell A Friend^® program.

"Many women aren't aware that they have options," Isabel said. "Just because they don’t have medical insurance doesn't mean they can't get a mammogram. There are programs in place that offer free or discounted mammograms. And if something is found, there are programs available that will pay for treatment."

Spreading the Word
Unlike Isabel, Calvin Martin didn't get regular checkups, but after two friends who felt no symptoms were diagnosed with serious illnesses, Calvin made an appointment. His doctor found prostate cancer. After his recovery, Calvin began talking to other African American men about the importance of getting checkups regularly and discussing cancer testing options with a doctor. He started a group through the American Cancer Society called Brother to Brother to provide support for prostate cancer survivors in his hometown of Harlem, New York.

"Men don’t talk enough about health problems," Calvin said. "I was surprised to find out how many men I saw on a daily basis had prostate problems. Now I talk to other men so they will know and can do something."

Following Their Example
Isabel and Calvin are making a difference by giving everyone in their communities a better chance at beating cancer. Raising awareness is just one of the many ways to make a difference in the fight against the disease. For more information about how you can help, contact the American Cancer Society: 1-800-ACS-2345 or www.cancer.org.